Car Decals

[impressive19]

I have been asked to do some advertising lettering for car bodywork. As I have a CMC I assume I could cut the lettering? Does anyone know what would be the best material to use, I know I could use Hot Press adhesive but will the CMC cut a vinyl of some sort? Anyone else done anything like this?

[Jonny2morsos]

There are loads of sign companies that do this with specialised equipment at very little cost including fitting.

I would ring a couple for a price and decide whether it is worth your trouble.

[Merlin]

When we had the shop, we cut our window lettering vinyl on our Valiani CMC.

It did need a sacrificial board (500 micron) on top to hold the vinyl inplace.
So you have to take that cost into account.

As J2M says. Easier to get a local signwriter to do it for you.

[kev@frames]

i have a roland vinyl cutting plotter, it takes its blades in a "cartridge" the same shape as a plotting pen.
maybe those of you with CMCs that use pen attatchments could use the roland vinyl plotting head and blade instead of a pen.

maybe some of these will fit your cmc pen holder? worth a punt for the price
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Blade-Holder- ... 0591229329

[IFGL]

I have the camera and vinyl / print cutting software for my valiani vacuum cmc, but I'm yet to try it out . so not a right lot of use to you.

[stcstc]

its not worth the effort to try and do cutting commercially on ya cmc

can buy a 24" plotter cutter for about 400 bucks

and the sign market is massively cut throat

also just think how many colours you would need to keep instock if you were trying to earn cash money from it

[kev@frames]

yea tell me about it, steve, I used to have a sign business in the frame shop - hence the 15 year old vinyl plotter

I had 44 colours - still not enough

you are right though, its worth buying a vinyl plotter if you plan on doing signs for customers,the newer combined cutter/printers seem the best all round tool for that. And as merlin says, probably easier and a LOT cheaper to use a sign company for occasional signs.
And it is surprisingly messy, a high complaint rate, too easy for customer misunderstandings, and hassle.
and them some bstrd wants you to apply the letters ... to a filthy van caked in bird sh*t, that needs to go to the car wash.... in the rain, 22 miles away.... in the dark.....

but don't let me put you off, it can be a nice little earner, done right.
.

[stcstc]

its waaaay to cut throat for me

i have guys who run 20k print and cut roland machines do stuff for me

for example i have a job with them at the moment, 2m*1m print and cut onto vinyal then gloss lam for a year planner

its costing me 40 bucks, i reckon the materials are maybe 13 -15 range, man i dont see how you can pay for a 20k machine doing that kinda stuff

[Grahame Case]

Oddly enough, this week I've been cutting white vinyl lettering on our valiani. We are selling our 05 plate Renault kangoo and need to have a big impact advert on the side to show it is for sale.

Using 24 inch high letters with sign writing paper tape to line them up before applying on the car with the age old soapy water solution.

I've also got plans to vinyl wrap my new Kia Carens, but that will be left to the professionals, as it's worth it's weight in gold getting that done properly... A crap job reflects badly on the advertiser!